State governments and other agencies then pass their own orders to enforce pollution control measures under the Centre’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). “Steps to combat pollution should automatically come into play and should not depend upon the decision of government officials. Air Quality Index (AQI) – which measures pollutants that can cause life-threatening ailments – is categorised in five levels between ‘good’ and ‘severe’. The last fortnight saw AQI levels in some parts of Delhi rise to 486 on a scale of 500. Though some parts of Delhi received a drizzle, scientists forecast that pollution levels could spike in the next 48 hours.

Source: Hindustan Times November 17, 2017 18:08 UTC